So here’s a rough outline of our agenda. I am looking for any suggestions at our stopping points or places that we need to make stops for.
Depart Arrive
Lawrenceburg,IN Peoria, IL
Peoria Forest City,IA
Forest City Badlands, Black Hills, Mt Rushmore, Deadwood South Dakota
Badlands, etc Buffalo Bill State park, Cody Wyoming
Cody, Wyoming Yellowstone Natl Park, WY
Yellowstone Grand Teton Natl Park, WY
Grand Teton Nephi, Utah
Kaibab CampRVillage on the North Rim Grand Canyon, AZ
Grand Canyon Boulder City for Hoover Dam
Boulder city Las Vegas for RV drop off then about 24 hours in Vegas
Not sure of exact routes, but likely the most direct routes between destinations. I know we are trying to stop at Monks House of Ale Repute in Sioux Falls, SD. Really just looking for anything else I should schedule on our route. We have several nights in Yellowstone and Grand Canyon, most others are simply over night stays. Any family friendly hangout suggestions are appreciated. 43 hours in an RV over 2200 miles (just between destinations, not counting sight seeing,) 3 fighting kids, I will NEED/WANT some good beer every night and cant bring enough homebrew due pre and post RV constraints: 5 in a minivan to IA, then Flying home from Vegas. Whatever you think will be important to see, maybe not as important as Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon,Hoover Dam, etc; all of which I have never seen.
Thanks, have always wanted to ski Jackson hole, but have not done much skiing I the last 20 years. Is it close to our route roughly? The RV is a rental, with 2500 miles, which we are already planning on being over, but can’t afford too many more extra miles. I’m not in front of a map right now. It will check it out
Jackson is just barely south of Teton National Park, right at the south entrance if I remember. You will feel like your returning to civilization when you get to Jackson Hole after the desolation of the parks. Must have went out there 10 years in a row for whitewater rafting and camping, when I was young. Make sure you see the Upper and Lower Falls in Yellowstone…The south end and central part of Yellowstone was pretty crowded. I really liked the north end at Mammoth Hot Springs and into Gardner, MO. I’ll never forget the buffalo sleeping in the flower bed as we walked up to the hotel there. Around the East Entrance you’ll see wolf packs, antelope, bear, tons of bison, elk and moose if your into wildlife. Need a driver?
Badlands is cool but not much to do there. Took me about an hour to see all I needed to see.
On the way from the Black Hills to Cody, Devil’s Tower is well worth the detour.
Which way are you going to Cody? We take 14 from just north of Sheridan. But the Big Horns are no joke. The west side is 10% for 10 miles. There aren’t too many grades like that. Fun on a bike but might be white knuckles in an RV.
Cody has a great wild west museum.
Yellowstone and GT are must see, but in my opinion the best park in the Country is Glacier. My avatar is Terri and I on the Harley going down the east side of the Going to the Sun road. There is nothing better than riding a Harley over Logan Pass.
Jim if we like this trip, we are already planning on a more northerly route out of Forest City IA to pacific northwest, including a stop in Glacier, and dropping g RV off in San Francisco
Fun times. Next year we are taking the trailer to a remote dry camp on the north fork of the Flathead, just about 3 miles outside of the Camas Road entrance to Glacier. Just going to flop down, drink beer, and listen to wolves for a week.
Jim it looks like from Sheridan, we are briefly on 14 but then switch to 310, but good looking out. This is a re-location RV rental, and I’ve never driven one before, so slow and steady, not to mention no white knuckle roads, is the key for me. Its a 25’ class C motor home, not sure of class but its built on a truck frame, driven not towed
Thanks Jon. Boy its awfully quiet on here this week. Whats going on? Maybe I can catch up on what I have missed here recently, I have 5 pages of unread posts, just been out in the field at work the last 2 weeks and have not had much screen time. Baltimore is realistically withing driving distance, so I have already told SWMBO that I want to make that one of our summer trips next year.
I’d stop in Salt Lake City over Nephi. SLC to the North Rim is doable in a day and you’ll have a lot more choices that way. Nephi is a pretty small town without much going on. Don’t be afraid of the 4% abv limit on grocery store beer in Utah. Those guys are making some pretty good stuff under those rules.
Good to know, I think she was trying to keep all driving days doable. We are scheduled to pass through and see some sight in SLC, but I dont have the time frames in front of me, got them now. Looks like we are trying to catch SLC and Park City(one kid is a big ski nut and wants to see where the big boys ride the rails) on the route to Nephi. Also, everything is on a budget, we were able to find a cheap site in Nephi, while other spots were booked or spendy. I dont know all the details, but I know I have scheduled a camp site in Nephi, canceled it, losing my full night deposit, and rebooked again. Dont want to change again. And I have to remember that I was not a big help in original planning stages. Its not all about me and beer: I have been reminded. Oops, I will more actively participate in next year’s travel plans
Utah is state run liquor stores, but 4% beer in most stores. Check out Epic Brewing, Squatters, Wasatch, Shades of Pale, and Park City Brewing. Also, on the way to the Grand Canyon, stop by Zion NP. You will not be disappointed. Have a safe trip.
We are all busy at NHC with no time to post. Heck, even Denny hasn’t posted much.
I second Jim’s suggestion on Glacier. That’s a very nice drive over the pass. We stayed at Many Glacier Lodge last Fall and had a great time. Beautiful park.
We also liked Grand Teton Park a little better than Yellowstone, but they both have their fine points.
If you can fit a day or two into Zion before the Grand Canyon won’t regret it. It is awesome.
Vegas:
Banger Brewing on Fremont Street.
Hop Nuts Brewing in the Art District (south of Fremont).
Big Dog’s Brewing in NW LV, if you get off of the strip.
Maybe I can catch up on what I have missed here recently, I have 5 pages of unread posts, just been out in the field at work the last 2 weeks and have not had much screen time. Baltimore is realistically withing driving distance, so I have already told SWMBO that I want to make that one of our summer trips next year.